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The incredible generosity of our community made it possible for this year’s Empty Bowls event to raise a record $20,000 to help fight food insecurity in our Loveland community!

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible — our attendees, sponsors, pottery donors, and volunteers — whose time, talent, and support continue to fill bowls and hearts across our community.

Every dollar raised helps provide food and hope to neighbors in need. Together, we’re making a difference — one bowl at a time. Thank you for being part of this meaningful tradition.

A special thank you to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for all their planning, support, and use of their building for this event. And, of course, none of this would have been possible without our amazing sponsors.

Individual sponsors

• Anna Bunker
• Susan Chace
• Coit and Leigh Edison
• Linda Erney
• Karen Kamfjord
• Connie Malone
• Dr. Cathy Rosenbaum, Rx Integrative Solutions
• Pat Zerbe

Business and organizational sponsors

It was a packed house at DVD Brew on October 28 for the fundraiser they hosted for LIFE Food Pantry.

The event was a major success. We enjoyed great discussions with people from the community, and we left with a van full of non-perishables and more than $400 in donations.

We are grateful to DVD Brew for hosting and to the Loveland community for its support! Special thanks to Cee Cee Collins and Meredith Taylor from Little Miami River Chamber Alliance — and to our very own Eric Neuville — for serving as guest bartenders.

Brian Maxson of the Railway Barbershop is known for bringing creative flair and big ideas to our humble town, and his fundraiser for LIFE Food Pantry at Loveland’s Oktoberfest was no exception!

The Railway Barbershop hosted a Beard Competition in downtown Loveland during this year’s Oktoberfest festivities. Contestants went head-to-head in a bevy of categories including longest beard, best general beard, most creative beard, and best mustache. Not to be outdone, during the kids’ beard competition, children decorated their own (paper) beards and proudly displayed them on stage for a chance to win their own crocheted beard!

Winners in each category walked away with bragging rights, medals, and $30 gift cards to the Railway Barbershop. The Best in Show winner also received a t-shirt and a stein to commemorate their win. The biggest winner however was the LIFE Food Pantry who received all proceeds from the contest.

A huge thank you to Brian Maxson of the Railway Barbershop, emcee Katie Welsh of The Good Hair Society, Jason Myers of CLIX Consumer Lending, and all of our follicularly gifted competitors!

In July, Loveland suffered a major blow with the passing of David Miller, prolific publisher of Loveland Magazine. Widely memorialized, David’s family generously requested that LIFE Food Pantry be the recipient of donations in his memory.

While sad to lose such a strong proponent of the pantry, we were honored to be remembered.

In September, Loveland lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Sarah Dmytryk. At only 41, Sarah was a wife, sister, daughter, and mother of two young children. She led a courageous life defined by compassion, excellence, and unwavering devotion to her family, career, and those around her.

When Sarah passed, she and her family requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to LIFE Food Pantry. Sarah’s final act only serves to reiterate the boundless love and care she exhibited to others throughout her life.

At LIFE Food Pantry, we celebrate the memory of those, like David Miller and Sarah Dmytryk, who exhibit sheer selflessness by helping our most vulnerable neighbors. Please join us in remembering and honoring those individuals and families who so graciously remember the LIFE Food Pantry.

LIFE Food Pantry’s 2025 Back to School event was a smashing success! This year, we equipped almost 300 students with the supplies needed to return to the classroom with confidence. 

LIFE’s Back to School Event provides students residing within the 45140 zip code with backpacks, supplies for their respective grades, full-size hygiene items, new socks and underwear, as well as a spirit wear item for Loveland students. In addition, we aid eligible caregivers with enrollment in the National School Free and Reduced Lunch Program, and help Loveland students sign up for the pantry’s Weekend Bag and Tiger Pantry program. 

Because so many districts have areas falling within 45140, LIFE Food Pantry not only helps Loveland students, but a portion of Kings, Little Miami, Goshen, and Sycamore students as well. It’s awe-inspiring to see the reach and impact our humble pantry has on the community. 

A huge debt of gratitude goes out to Open Table Church, The Works Pizza, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Columban, and RP Diamond Printing and Embroidery for their help with this year’s event. We could not have done so much for so many without you!